Friction pivot block for projected type windows and the like



Feb. 13, 1962 o. BRANSFORD, JR 3,020,604

FRICTION PIVQT BLOCK FOR PROJECTED TYPE WINDOWS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 25, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ERNEST OWEN BBANSFORD,JR.

ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 E. o. BRANSFORD, JR 3,020,604

FRICTION PIVOT BLOCK FOR PROJECTED TYPE WINDOWS AND THE LIKE v INVENTOR ERNEST OWEN BRANSFORDQR.

ATTORNEY 3,020,604 Patented Feb. 13, 1962 ice lina

Filed Get. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 64,771 7 Claims. (til. 29-=-42) This invention relates to friction pivot block devices that are slidable in tracks. More particularly, the invention relates to means for locating or positioning a window sash at various adjusted positions in a window frame so as to hold the sash at a desired position against undesired movement by wind or weight.

Heretofore, various window stops have been provided for frictionally holding window sashes at various positions in their frames. The present invention provides a locating assembly for use as a window stop that is of simple, compact and durable construction. The locating assembly of the invention is readily disas-semblable to replace any of the parts which may become Worn or broken.

An object of the invention is to provide a window of the casement or projection-type having a window stop of improved construction for positioning the window at any desired inclination and holding it there against forces produced by wind or weight or the like.

The locating assembly of the invention provides for increased useful life of the wearable parts. Further, there is reduced likelihood of foreign matter being trapped between the track and the locating assembly.

For a better understanding of the invention and its other objects, advantages and details, reference is now made to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is shown, for purposes of illustration only, in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view through a casement or projection type window including a locating assembly made according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 44 in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of'the locating assembly and window frame'illustrated in the previous figures.

Briefly stated, the invention includes an improved locating assembly that is slidable in a track of a window frame. A Window sash is pivotally connected to the locating assembly and has a link pivotally connected to it and to the window frame. The locating assembly includes a body having a slot formed therein receiving a loop-shaped spring. A filler block is positioned between the legs of the spring to prevent collapse thereof. A pair of friction shoes are located adjacent the spring legs and are urged outwardly to frictionally engage the rails of the window frame track. A screw extends through the body and is movable to expand the spring and press the friction shoes outwardly to increase or decrease the frictional pressure of the shoes against the rails.

Referring to the drawings, the window includes a frame or jamb 12 and a casement or sash 14. A link 16 is pivotally connected to the sash 14 and has its other end pivotally connected at 17 to the frame 12.

The window frame 12 includes a channel-shaped portion formed by rails 18 and 20 providing a track 22 in which slides the locating, positioning or stop assembly 24. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the locating assembly includes a body 26 having at one end a block portion 28. The sash 14 is pivotally connected to body 26 by a bolt 30 extending through a hole 30 in block 28 and through arm 32 of an angle bracket 34 secured to sash frame 36 by screws 38, as shown in FIG. 1. A nut 40 is threaded on bolt 30, and an enlarged shoulder "31 on the shank of the bolt 30, slightly longer than the hole 30, keeps the block 28 from binding on the bracket 34 when the nut 40 is turned up tight.

For brevity, only one jarnb 12 and locating assembly 24 has been illustrated. It will be understood that if desired, particularly if the installation be large and heavy, a similar locating assembly 24 may be located on the opposite side of sash 14.

Below the block 28 the body 26 includes a plate 50, an upper wing 52 connected by web 54 to block 28, and a lower wing 56 connected to plate so by web 58. A slot 69 is formed between the aligned wings 52 and 56 and the parallel plate 50 and contains the generally elliptical or loop-shaped spring 62 having a bight portion 64 and two legs 66 and 68 extending along the opposite sides of the slot 60. The upper ends of the spring legs 66 and 68 converge together and terminate in short projections 70 and 72, respectively, received in a recess 74 formed by a hole 76 drilled through the block 28.

A filler bar 80 is positioned in the slot 60 between the spring legs 66 and 68 to prevent collapse of the spring.

The spring '64 is desirably formed of corrosion resistant material such as chromium vanadium steel, stainless steel, phosphor bronze or the like. For holding the locating assembly 24 at any desired position in track 22,v a pair of friction shoes 82 and 84 are positioned on opposite sides of the body 26. Shoe 82 includes a plate portion 86 engaging rail 2%). A rib 88 extends inwardly from the plate 86 into the slot 6t? and engages spring leg 66. Similarly,

shoe 84 includes a plate 90 engaging rail 18 and a rib 92 extending into slot 60 and engaging spring leg 68.

The spring legs 66 and 68 press the friction shoes 82 and 84 outwardly so as to provide full area contact of the plates 86 and 90 with the rails 20 and 18.

The friction shoes 82 and 84 are shorter than the slot 60 and are thus free to pivot in the slot and adjust with respect to the spring 62 and the rails 20 and 18 so as to compensate for any irregularities in the surfaces of the track rails. This reduces the possibility of binding or points of high wear.

In this way the material of the shoes is thus more efliciently utilized and the useful life of the blocks increased. Further, this pressing of the entire surface of the shoe plates 86 and 90 against the rails 20 and 18 reduces the likelihood of foreign matter being trapped between the surfaces of the plates and the track rails. Smooth operation of the window is thus insured.

For changing the intensity of the pressure exerted by friction shoes 82 and 84 upon the track rails 20 and 18, an adjusting screw 160 is threaded in an opening 102 in web 58 and the end of its shank 104 received in an indentation 106 formed in the bight portion 64 of spring 62. The head 108 of adjusting screw 1th) has a slot 110 formed therein for engagement by a tool, such as a screwdriver.

The friction shoes are preferably formed of a synthetic resin plastic such as nylon, polyvinyl chloride or the like. The preferred material is nylon.

In operating the illustrated embodiment of the inven- 3 the friction tending to hold the assembly in place in the track. The friction between shoes 82 and 84 and track 22 maintains the assembly at the position in which it stops when the operators pull on the sash ceases. When it is desired to increase the friction of the locating assembly 24 in track 22, a screwdriver is inserted in the slot 110 and turned so as to move the shank 104 into identation 106 and expand the spring legs 66 and 68 outwardly to press the shoes 82 and 84 more firmly into engagement with the track rails 20 and 18. Similarly, a withdrawal of adjusting screw 1W) will decrease the friction.

An advantage of the construction of the invention is that the spring 62 exerts a locking force against the adjusting screw 1% tending to prevent undesired turning of the screw so as to maintain the friction at the adjustment last set by the operator.

Thus it will be seen that the invention provides a locating assembly for window stops that is efficient, readily adjustable, easily disassemblable for replacement of parts, and constructed to maintain a set position while being easily moved by application of just enough force to overcome the friction at which the device is set.

While the presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that the invention can be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the more broadly worded of the following claims.

I claim:

1. For use in releasably holding a window sash memher in a track, a friction-retarded locating assembly including a body having a slot formed therein, a loopshaped spring positioned in said slot and having a bight located at one end of said slot and two legs extending along the opposite sides of said slot, said spring legs having their ends opposite said bight bearing against said body at the other end of said slot, a pair of friction shoes positioned on opposite sides of said body, each said friction shoe having a portion within said slot and being located on the outward side of one of said spring legs, and an adjusting means engageable with the outer side of said bight of said spring and movable to expand said spring and press said friction shoes outwardly for chang ing the pressure of said shoes on the sides of a track.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a threaded opening formed therein adjacent said bight, and said adjusting means is a screw threaded in said opening with its shank pressing against the bight of said spring.

'3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said friction shoes are formed of synthetic resin.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said friction shoes are formed of nylon.

5. For use in releasably holding a window sash member at selected positions on a track, a friction-retarded locating assembly including a body having a slot formed therein, a generally elliptical spring positioned in said slot and having two legs extending along opposite sides of said slot and an end bearing against said body at one end of said slot, a pair of friction shoes positioned on opposite sides of said body, each of said friction shoes having a portion within said slot and being located on the outward side of one of said spring legs, said shoes being sufficiently shorter than said slot to permit pivot ing of said shoes to press fiat against the track, and adjusting means engageable with the outer side of the other end of said spring and movable to expand said spring and press said legs and friction shoes outwardly for changing the pressure of said shoes on the sides of a track.

6. In a window comprising a frame including rails forming a track, a frictionretarded locating assembly positioned in said track and including a body and a sash connected to said body, the improvement wherein said body has a slot formed therein and said locating assembly includes a loop-shaped spring positioned in said slot and having a bight located at one end of said slot and two legs extending along the opposite sides of said slot, said spring legs having their ends opposite said bight bearing against said body at the other end of said slot, a pair of friction shoes postioned on opposite sides of said body, each of said friction shoes having a portion within said slot and each of said friction shoes being located on the outward side of one of said spring legs and engaging a rail, and an adjusting means engageable with the outer side of said bight of said spring and movable to expand said spring and press said friction shoes outwardly for changing the pressure of said shoes on said rails.

7. A window comprising a jamb including a pair of vertical rails forming a track, a friction-retarded assembly positioned in said track and including a pivot body, a swingable projection-type sash having one end pivotally connected to said pivot body, a link having one end pivotally connected to said sash and the other end pivotally connected to said jamb, said pivot body having a slot formed therein, a loop-shaped spring positioned in said slot and having a bight located at one end of said slot, said bight having an indentation formed therein, said spring including two legs extending along the opposite sides of said slot, said body having a recess formed therein at the other end of said slot, said spring legs having ends converging toward each other and terminating in projections received in said recess, a. filler bar positioned between said spring legs, a pair of friction shoes positioned on opposite sides of said body, each of said friction shoes having a T-shaped cross section with a friction plate extending along one side of said body and a rib extending inwardly of said slot on the outward side of each of said spring legs, said body having a threaded opening therein adjacent said indentation, and an adjusting screw threaded in said opening with its shank in said indentation and its head outside of said block, whereby turning of said screw moves said shank against the indentation of said spring to expand said legs outwardly and press said shoes against the track walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,015,270 Henry Sept. 24, 1935 

